This current Australian team, so different in philosophy to the one we saw in Germany 2006, could do with a dose of Guus Hiddink’s thinking.
I remember wondering what Hiddink could have been thinking when I heard who he had picked in the 2006 World Cup against Japan.
Never mind that Jason Culina and Luke Wilkshire, both central midfielders at the time, were operating as wing-backs. Never mind that Brett Emerton, a natural wide player, was in central midfield.
The selection that made me wonder if the so-called master tactician was not in fact a crack-pot was Scott Chipperfield.
Chipperfield was in the Socceroos best XI, but who would have thought fielding him as a left-sided centre-back in a back three was a good idea? The guy had spent most of his career playing as a left winger.
Now he was alongside Lucas Neill and Craig Moore in the most important game Australia had played for over 30 years.
If it were not for the last ten minutes, perhaps the game against Japan would be remembered as the day Hiddink’s gambles did not pay off. Perhaps Hiddink got lucky.
I take a different view.
The reason Hiddink picked Chipperfield was because he could cover the ground. Neill was not quick. Moore was slower than Neill. Hiddink recognised Australia’s defence needed pace.
Not many other managers would have had the guts to pick a bloke out of position in such a big game, but Hiddink wanted Australia to be able to press the opposition and, to do that, he could not afford to have a slow defence.
If it was slow, pressuring high-up the ground would have resulted in Japan cutting through a high defensive line and no doubt scoring more than the one they managed to put in the back of the net that night.
Australia would have had to defend deep if Chipperfield was not at the back and they would not have been able to press.
The reason I bring this all up is because right now Australia’s defence is, as everybody knows, painfully slow.
Neill and Ognenovski in the team means the Socceroos have to defend deep. Neither of them want to be caught up the ground because they know they cannot get back if they need to.
That forces the two holders deep as they try and protect the space in front of the defence. The wingers, number ten and striker cannot press the opposition with any purpose, because the holders are too deep to support them.
There is no problem necessarily with Australia playing deep, soaking up pressure, and trying to hurt sides on the break. Holger Osciek may think that is Australia’s best option heading into the World Cup.
I believe the Socceroos are at their best when they are pressuring the opposition all over the field, though, as they did in 2006.
Australian footballers have an attacking mentality, even if their technique is sometimes lacking. Guus Hiddink took that view and it worked for him, though again some could argue he rode is luck.
Others could argue that luck tends to follow the team that makes the game; the one that presses and attacks rather than the one that sits back.
For Australia to be comfortable pressing, something left-field needs to be done about the centre of defence.
Could Mile Jedinak, a tall defensive midfielder, be the one to move back and form a partnership with Neill? Maybe Mark Milligan could do the job if given the opportunity.
The back-line needs pace. If Hiddink’s taught Australian football anything it’s that we should value speed in defence.
Sneaky Pete
Guest
Maybe Holger could read this: http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1167009/Sir-Alex-Ferguson's-blueprint
Towser
Guest
dasilva Whilst it appears Brazil are on somewhat of a roll,I agree it was our performance that was disappointing.
dasilva
Guest
Not really I mean the 6-0 score line against Australia kind of flatter us and we played worst than what the scoreline presented Really Brazil defeating Spain 3-0 in a competitive match is more of an achievement and that dim fan reaction against Holger. I don't see how beating Portugal would do the same thing
Towser
Guest
Do we feel any better about Holger after this result? Brazil 3 Portugal 1. http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/match/report/279294/Brazil-vs-Portugal
Midfielder
Guest
Drums are starting to beat .... you get the feelings it's just a matter of time before we have a new coach...
dasilva
Guest
So what type of draw would we be happy with England Greece New Zealand Australia I would be happy with that draw Although the way we are playing I think New Zealand would have a decent chance in beating us.
Griffo
Roar Guru
I noted in the article that Hiddink is waiting for the draw in December before deciding on who he might commit to... I don't think for a second that he is going to do it for love, but it very much smacks of the winner offering the most money and an easy draw in the world cup - all protecting brand Hiddink it would seem. Still, we might get England plus other "easier" teams and he'll go for us ;-)
pete4
Guest
Please be true... Hiddink would consider Socceroos SOS http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1166935/Hiddink-would-consider-Socceroos-SOS
Justin Thighm
Roar Guru
Calling Hiddink "crazy" is disrespectful. He is a genius football manager at all the things you need to be good at to be a successful manager. His style suited the Aussies perfectly and he would be a great success once again, But would he do it and is 9 months long enough to mould a great team together with what Holger has left us with? I've always tried to support Holger and give him a chance, but each result now is worse than the last and we are not making any headway and are destined for no points and no goals at Brazil 2014, only a few months away now. Its very nice for these old players to want to play in 3 consecutive world cups but FFS pick the best team Holger, prepare them properly with the right tactics and show us some of that famed reputation of yours for bringing on our young players to the senior team. No disrespect for the older players, but they aren't getting the results are they. The U20 young Socceroos would have put up more fight. Brazil 2014 is going to be an embarrassment for us all. Thank God for the A-League.
Justin Thighm
Roar Guru
The Reason
Guest
Would read again
dasilva
Guest
Zonal marking did an article once of the Top 20 teams of the decade in terms of tactical innovation And Guus Hiddink's Socceroos side made it for "For outlining the value of packing the midfield by playing a 3-6-1 shape, and dominating possession against better sides." Although I think he interpreted better side to be sides more technically gifted. Showing that with good tactics you can control possession even with technically inferior players http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/01/19/teams-of-the-decade-18-australia-2006/ I think it's interesting that the way Hiddink set our side up was considered unique and innovative. Although interesting interpretation that the attacking substitution of Sterjovski with Aloisi in the Italy match led to our downfall because we didn't have anyone marking Grosso (replacing right wing forward with a second striker)
striker
Guest
As much i would love to se Hiddink come i cant see this happening, his been here done it before i am sure he would rather a different challenge, but there are other coaches out there who could do a much better job than Osieck
Midfielder
Guest
+ 999999999999999999999
Towser
Guest
Les Murray would have no objection to Guus given his latest article on TWG http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/les-murray/blog/1166895/Time-up-on-Holger
Steve
Guest
Could Jedinak form a partnership with Lucas Neill? Why is Lucas Neill even part of the conversation. He needs to go asap along with Ogenovski. Those 2 as CB's is just a world cup disaster waiting to happen.
fadida
Guest
Agree with the premise of the article. What sets Hiddink apart from the donkeys of the coaching world (of which Osieck is a member) is the ability to ad-lib and be flexible. Jedinak lacks the technical ability to be anything but a destroyer. If he plays for the NT it needs to be as a central defender. Milligan, while excellent as DM, can also play at CB. Of course games are running out to try new combos, and despite us clearly being a (slow) rabble at the back for the last 2 years Osieck seems to see Cornflakes as the best back up. despite a lack of pace (and ability). This condemns us to play very deep and doesn't suit a pressing game (nor does an old team) Personally I think Hiddink may be shot, but their are plenty of intelligent managers out their with the ability to improvise, and the bravery to experiment. I like Holger as a man, but he is only suited to be an assistant
fadida
Guest
agree
striker
Guest
We can only dream to have a coach of the calibre that is hiddink come and coach us again, if things dont change i reckon we will be lucky to get a point at next years world cup.